Bim-beight switch for electric systems



vM. o. DEvEns.

DIM-BRIGHT SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS.

APPLICAIION FILED MAR. lo, |921.

Patented Dec. 12,1922.

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Patented Dec. 12, 1922.

UNITED STATES MURRELO. DEVERS. OF DAYTON, OHIO.

DIM-BRIGHT SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC SYSTEMS.

IApplication lcd March 10, 1921. Serial No. 451,269.

To'all 'inkom' it may concern: l

Be it known that I, Moliner. 0. Daraus. .-1 citizen ofthe United States` residing in the city'of Dayton, in the county of .Montgom ery'and State of OhioQhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dim! Bright Switches forElectric Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The principal ob'ect of my invention is to provide a dim-brig, t switch for attachment to mtolcycle'handle" bars,'or to the steering 'vvliiels', of automobiles, e to enable the driver-to .control thelights without releasing liishand from'the handle bar or wheel. The device is simple in construction and effi- 'cient in operation. vIt'is'conipact in appearance, and may be readily attached to a handle bar or steering wheel for convenient operation.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a to plan view of my improved switch, with t e cover removed, in a lighting system. Figure 2 is a longitudinal section taken through said switch. Figure 3 is a cross sectional view thereof, taken on the line af-a, of Figure 2. And Figure 4 is a perspective view of said switch.

Throughout the specification and drawings, simllar reference characters denote corresponding parts.

Referrinor to the accompanying drawings, the numera 1 designates a switch base preferably constructed of a phenolic condensation roduct. Provided in the top portion of said base is a longitudinal groove 2, which extends from one end thereof to a point near its opposite end. (See Figures 1 and 2.)

Longitudinally movable within the groove 2 is a contact plunger 3 preferably constructed of a phenolic condensation product and terminating at its front end in an upturned finger-grip portion 4.

Secured to thc switch base 1, by screws 41 4, on one side of the groove 2 near the rear end of said base, is a right-angled contact piece 5 Whose transverse end 6 projects a substantial distance over said groove. Secured by screws 7, 7 to said base is a similar contact piece 8 whose transverse end 9 projects over the groove 2 to a substantial distance. The contact pieces 5 and 8 are so se cured to the switch base 1 that a slight space is left between their transverse ends. (See Figure 1.)

ecured by screws 10, 10 to the switch base 1 on the opposite side of the groove' 2 therein, is a contact piece` 11 which has a right-angled end 12 that projects downwardly into said groove. (See Figures 1 and 3.)

Fitted on the rear end of the plunger 3 is a channeled contact piece 13 whose middle portion is so cut away as to provide a Wide hand 14 on one end and a narrow band 15 on its other end. (See Figures 2 and 4.) The space between these band portions of the contact piece 13.y is wider than that occupied by the adjacent transverse ends of the contact pieces 5 and8 -on the switch base 1for a urpose to be hereinafter described.

rojecting through the switch base 1 into af longitudinal groove 16 inthe bottoml of the plunger 3, is a screw 17 whose upper end, by engaging the end of the grooved portion 16 of said plunger, will limit the outward movement of the latter. (See Figures 2 and 3.) A cupped cover 18 having a sloping front end, preferably constructed of a phenolic condensation product, is secured by screws 19, 19 to the switch base 1.

Referring to Figure l, the numeral 19'* designates a refiector casing in which is mounted a bright electric lamp 2O and a dim electric lamp 21. A wire 22 has one of its ends connected to the lamp 20, and its other end connected to the contact piece 5 by one of the screws 4. Connected to the contact piece 8 b v one of the screws 7. is one end of a wire 23 whose other-end is connected to the dim light 21. Connected by one of the screws 10 to the contact piece 11, is one end of a wire 24, whose other end is connected to a battery 25 from which a wire 26 leads to the ground. Since the flanged end 12 of the contact piece 11 is always in engagement with one side of the contact piece 13 on the plunger 3. an electric circuit will be closed from the battery to the dim lamp 21 when the transverse end of the contact piece 8 engages the narrow band 15 on the plunger, and to both lamps when both transverse ends of the contact pieces 5 and 8 are engaged by the wide band 14 on said plunger.

In operation. when the plunger 3 is moved to the position shown in Figure 1, the two adjacent transverse ends of the contact pieces 5 and 8 will be between the band portions 14 and 15 of the Contact piece 151 on the plunger. Since in this position of the plunger. the Contact piece 13 thereon does not touch either one of the contact pieces 5 or 8, no current can flow from the hnttery to the lamps. Non', when it is desired to light the dim light 21, the plunger is pushed inwardly :i sufficient distance to [wing the narrow hand portion 15 of the rontart piece 133, under the transverse end 9 of the contact piece 8, whereupon :l cirruit will be closed through the dim light 2l to illuminate it. On the other hand, `when it iS desired to light both lamps 2O and 21, the plunger 3 is pulled outwardly al sufleient distance to bring the wide band p'ortion 14 of the Contact piece 13 under the transverse ends of both Contact pieces and S, whereupon an electric circuit will be closed through both of the' lamps QOvand 21 to illuminate them.

I' do not Wish to be limited to the (letals of. construction and arrangement herein shown and described, and any changs .or modifications may be made therein Siitlin the scope of the subjoined claim'. O

Having described mynrention, c1

A n electric switch of the type speci ed, comprising a base made of insu'letug' raterial adhavnig a loiigu'd1`nel'A groove in its upper portiog'o a pir' of ott pieces secured to said base, ends on said cont-act pl'c'es prjettg'" transversely over said groove, :L plunger constructed of insulating niafei'il, mv''ljlie i'rrsaid groove, :L channeled contact member fitted on said plunger, a Contact' i'et secured to said base, having a portion pmjecting` intosa'id groove for contactl with one.A side of said channeled member, ebend Vpioliiorlron each end of said cliriiield iiinbei, with a'. s'cedeft lieti'e'n said bad portionswi er than that occupied by the trnsverse ends of the contact piees on theA svifit'clil bese, said plunger adapted to be' moved te Bring one band portion iidei oi of seid' contiet ie'eels, and the other bid .of said ciittvpios, for the., specified Iii ihiny" v liv hereln ses 

